Learnings sa Manali Session in India

Learnings sa Manali Session in India (as narrated by a member of the 1st Philippine Team to Everest)

1. Acclimatization is important. The first few days of the climb is adjusting to the high altitude and environment. The last few days is grappling with vertical climbs and snow. Mabagal na sa umpisal, pabagal na pabagal pa sa ending.
2. Training and orientation on alpine climb. How to deal with glaciers, hypothermia, falls, storms, etc. These are new to me. There really is a risk to life. The trainors and the seasoned ones provide guidelines to minimize the dangers.
3. Food is different. Not your usual delicious tasting fares but basic staple food with regional influence.
4. It is ok be with a porter. No pride involved here. All a climber brings is his personal effect. Yet in alpine climb, it still is a heavy pack.
5. No race to the top. You have to pace yourself for the 2-3 week climb.
6. It is expensive, very expensive. You rent equipment, you pay your porter, you pay to enter.
7. There's no fun. After all the hard work a day, no good food awaiting at the camp dampens the enthusiasm.
8. A tropical climber needs a training, weeks to acclimatize to the high altitude.
9. The trainors' expertise is their familiarity and their adjusted lung power. There is no better credential than their summiting to the Mt. Everest. After all the orientation, it's a lot of on the job training.
10. The Himalayas is a remote place. Places are named for the purposes of identifying landmarks.
11. It is quite lonely at the top.

Why am I doing this to myself? For the pride? Or simply to complete because it is there? Now it seems I understood a bit of what Sir Hillary meant. Slightly clearer after Manali, coming from me, a guy who has known only tropics all my life. The drive though continues even if there is no sheer delight yet. For now.

It is fun to be in the company of Pinoy.

Welcome back. The team is fortunate to have Art Valdez supporting them.

-Tochs. first posted in peyups.com and palmc egroups. Sept 2004

Rock formation 

Talim from afar 

Snapshots from the road trip 

Batangas, Laguna Getting Too Crowded and Dense?

Foto grabbed from Larry Honoridez' FB post

Explore the Masinag-Cogeo-Bosoboso, Antipolo-Baras-Tanay loop on the east side of Rizal. Someone coined it as Marilaque Road (for Manila-Rizal-Laguna-Quezon). My loop is a 100 km route that starts from Katipunan passing through Marcos Highway, goes up to Masinag, Cogeo, Bosoboso until the descent at the Sampaloc-Infanta, Daranak-Tanay junction. The road takes you gradually from the foot of the mountain to its ridge at a height of about 2,900 feet ASL and a return back to civilization at Morong and Baras Rizal. The ride over concrete road all the way (except for a 3 km gap) exposes you to greenery and bald mountain ridges. Noted landmarks are the Paenaan Camping Farm in Antipolo, Habitat for Humanity and Foremost Farm in Barangay Pinugay Baras, Manila Seedling Bank tree farm, Mt. Kanumay (also the Susong Dalaga), Rizal Provincial Drug Rehabilitation Center in Palayang Bayan, Barangay Cuyambay, Tanay, Rizal, Sierra Madre Resort, Camp Mateo Capinpin on Barangay Sampaloc Tanay and Daranak Falls.
On a motored vehicle, you can cover the loop in 2 ½ hours, a full day on a pedaled bicycle. Completing the circuit, it makes me ask, why am I locked up in a crowded and densely populated city when there is this vast open space just an hour away. Need I answer?

Explore it by day to avoid the potential security dangers. From the account of columnist Mr. Neal Cruz www.inq7.net/opi/2003/dec/04/opi_nhcruz-1.htm a lot of violations in the area have been committed in developing the area. Not to mention the set up of reconnaissance military camp towards the Tanay side. Just take the necessary precautions. At times, one takes risks to get the most out of life. See you on the road!

-Chito
30 August 2004

Mesau’s Climb www.geocities.com/mesau1982/kanumay.htm

Life in Katipunan

Subject: Life in Katipunan
1997/06/19

My Katipunan used to be a quiet street that connects U.P to Aurora Blvd. Now it connects Bulacan to Laguna. It has become like an EDSA. Worse it is now EDSA with the LRT construction constricting travel in the major thoroughfare. Crossing the overpass that links Loyola Heights to Blue Ridge used to be a feast for the eyes. The Sierra Madre on the Marikina side steals the attention from the windshield.

On a clear day, Mt. Makiling in Laguna is also visible. We have now been denied this, censored by a high wall that almost says, "You are not entitled to this appreciation." Thank you to whomever initiated this project.

Katipunan-C-5's traffic is well managed by MMDA traffic aides, religiously. Even with the volume of vehicles, traffic flows. Innovations like counter flows, closing P. Tuazon crossings; no U-turns are regular occurrences. To a certain extent they yield faster flows. At least you know you'll get to Corinthian without much stress.

But what's irritating is:
When some big shots stop traffic, violate traffic flows using uniformed men in big motorcycles to push them upfront. Our poor MMDA aides just have to give in to their bullying, while we have to wait. When the pacing is too slow that a blind beggars queuing up for your window also builds up.
When the aides in rare occasions are not in their post unpredictably. Could it be it's their payday? Or some politicians used them for other purposes? Or they simply just gave up? I couldn't see the pattern.

Patient as we are, we just have to surrender to progress. Wait for the news trees planted at Ateneo to grow and provide the shade in future summers to come. And guess where C-5 will lead us at the Sta. Maria Della Strada end and at the White Plains end to ease the long stretch of bottleneck.

Bisperas

Bisperas ng bagong taon! 

Spot the moon 

Green View, Cool Weather, Full Blue Moon, Quiet Moments at Tirad Pass on the Eve of 2002

A mouthful for a title but that's how it was tracking the path of Tirad Pass on the last day of 2001. When the rains have watered the mountains at the 3rd and 4th quarter of the year, the flora shows off its lush greenery at this time of the year giving a refreshing green view. Also at this time of the year, the Siberian cold front from the North East blows its way to the island slamming at high altitude resources as the Cordilleras. You'll need your technical clothing and equipment to keep you warm.

The full moon shone brightly the whole evening, the second time on the same month. Weather bureau calls it the blue moon occurring once every two and a half years. You can read the ingredients of your favorite corned beef risotto under the naked sky without the aid of a flashlight.

This eve of the New Year is an unlikely time to expect a quiet moment. But not at Del Pilar according to the residents. New years are quiet. There was hardly any man-induced sound in this small town even on that day. True enough while camped at the ridge of less than 1,000 m ASL, there was no sound of chain saw, motorized two and four-wheel vehicles, explosions nor people talking. Not even dogs barking. Only the sounds of crickets and other unidentifiable insects and the wind gently sliding at the solid mountain creating a rustling sound with the leaves and twigs.

Deep in the night inside a secure tent in the company of friends, it sets you up to ask the important introspective question for the moment, "What's in store for me in 2002?" "No expectation," if you are in Manila. "Nothing drastic I hope," if you've been reading the papers and watching the late afternoon TV news coverage.

But in this setting in Tirad Pass, it counters all the apathy and cynicism of the city to prod "if deeply rooted in the earth, there's a lot still to live for." If only we can firmly imprint this always so we can also be hopeful of our future.

Before 9 PM Monday 31 December 2001, we were down in Manila after several interconnecting and adventurous bus and jeepney rides to welcome the New Year ready to face what's in store for us. Chito Razon with Jonnell Tan, Chris Platten, Gigi Rodriquez

Chito Razon 31 Dec 2001

The Outdoors in A New Light

The Outdoors in A New Light

Stepping out of the Banny Hermanos’ module of “The Outdoors in a New Light, I can’t help but appreciate the works of Mr. Ed Songco featured in his offbeat website http://eds1979.dk3.com . Ed’s works exemplify the principle shared with us on a strong center of interest. See how he anchors his composition with a strong visual element in Capones, Akiki, Tarak and Flowers.

And humbly Ed states “Kindly lower your expectations; photography is not my profession, I just want to capture some moments, and keep them in my collection.”

View the album and judge for yourself. All of them will end up being your favorites. Thanks Ferdz (another graphic designer) for sharing his album with us. Ferdz is also another skillful visual and web artist. His works at http://www.ironwulf.net/ speak for himself.

-Chito
18 June 2004
Ed can be contacted at eds_1979@yahoo.com
Ferdz can be contacte at ferdz@ironwulf.net

* * *

The Outdoors in A New Light

When you escape to the outdoors and you relish the experience, you wish the moment can linger a little more. Photography comes in to capture the light.

That's the message I picked up viewing about a hundred of slides presented by PALMC president and workshop lecturer Banny Hermanos in the MFPI Creative Outdoors Photography Workshop held last 3 April at the PAL Learning Center in Padre Faura.

Taken by no less than the lecturer himself, the slides dramatize graphically the module of the workshop: the basics on the principles of photography and creative effective compositions.

Banny pointed out the principles using his works in finding the center of interest; recognizing the graphic elements of design as line, shape, form, pattern, texture and color and using the visual elements of balance, proportion, scale, content, rhythm and repetition. In words, they seem overwhelming, in pictures, they are breathtaking.

On behalf of the handful of participants who showed up for the free show, we can only be grateful. Seeing the slides of Banny is already in itself a treat. When in time we ourselves are creating better compositions from the techniques shared, we will appreciate creating
the light even more.

CBRazon 6 April 2004

Tawangan Bridge 

Surface Mail 

First Jump 

Noon 

Milestone 

Tapulao Dec 2003 

Elevated Walk 

The Seamless 15-Minute About Half a Kilometer Elevated Walk in Makati Business District

The Seamless 15-Minute About Half a Kilometer Elevated Walk in Makati Business District

Have you tried this? Get out of the Ayala MRT terminal and enter at the SM gate leading to the new SM Makati. Your elevated walk starts the moment you step out of the MRT. You weave in at the Glorietta Complex (the former QUAD) and connect again to the parking across the bus terminal. Cross Makati Avenue and it's a non-stop walk up to Salcedo St. near the Makati Medical Center.

Perfect for a lunch break exercise. Complete it in less than 15 minutes one way unless you get drawn to the Makati working class you meet along the way. Major attractions are the new Glorietta Mall, the Enterprise Building and the Paseo de Roxas crossing.

How far is the distance? I got this report:

“The new elevated walkway running along Greenbelt 4/Ayala Museum connecting to the Glorietta is about 1,355 m from the corner of Dela Rosa/Legazpi toLandmark. The stretch from Landmark leading to the Ayala Center Terminal is 100m to the bottom of the stairs. It's hard to give a figure up to Park Square 1, since there are several possible routes.

1. If you decide to go through Landmark and cross to Glorietta, take the main mall between Glorietta 2 and Glorietta 3 ("Makati Mall"), turn right and walk along the edge of the Activity Center, and then turn right again at the main mall of Glorietta 1 leading to the cinema ticket lobby, then cross to Park Square1, then that would be a distance of approximately 280m.
2.  If you take the walkway all the way to the terminal, walk along West Drive, cross to Goldcrest and walk along Park Square Drive, then cross South Drive from Abenson to the arcade of Park Square 1 (fronting Perfect Pitch), that would be about 425m (including the stretch of walkway from Landmark down to the terminal. Estimated length of the stretch of walkway along Dela Rosa from the corner of Legazpi to the current end near Herrera is about 680m."

Catch you at the elevated walk. Also worth considering the 400 M Moro Lorenzo indoor gym at the Ateneo Loyola Heights Campus.

http://www.ofoto.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?US=0&collid=226079670103&page=1&sort_order=1

How Safe is the Water Out There in the Wilderness?

Date: Wed, 07 Nov 2001 10:26:55 -0000
How Safe is the Water Out There in the Wilderness?

It happens to even the prepared climber that the safe water we bring runs out leaving us with no choice but to drink from the available water source in the wilderness.

To the critical ones, the drinking the water from the wilderness is considered fatal especially so if this is not filtered or boiled. For your peace of mind, what you can do is take a sample of the water and have it tested for contaminants. Remember to identify where it was taken and when so you can share the results with fellow climbers. (Much like remembering the snake or the dog when bitten by them.)

When you reach the Metropolis, have it tested for:

1. Water Potability
2. Total Platecount and Coliform Testing
3. Comprehensive Micro testing

You will know if the water you drank will cause your trouble.

Testing however comes with a fee:
Water potability test is P 300.00, coliform is P 980.00 and
microtesting is P 3,000.

For microbiological testing

1. Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) * -FTI Compound, Taguig, Tel. 823 8071 to 82 loc. 2188, 2189
2. UP-Natural Sciences Research Institute, Southeast corner Quirino & Roces Ave, UP Campus, Diliman QC, Tel. 920 5301 to 99 loc.
3. 6803 SGS * - Don Tim Bldg 5468 South Luzon Expressway Makati Tel. 817 6231

* also for chemical testing

For chemical testing

1. Philippine Institute of Pure and Applied Chemistry (PIPAC) - Ateneo Campus, Katipunan Av. QC, Tel. 924 4587, 924 4601 to 20 loc 2921
2. UP-Institute of Chemistry CS Bldg., Diliman QC, Tel 920 5432, 920 5301 to 99 loc. 6546

We hope that someday, someone prime moves this initiative to test the water at source as a service to the climbing community. He could be working at these institutions, a scholar, a technical student or a simple hobbyist. A club and a company or the government can sponsor. What about a grant?

Sample application:

1. Is Halcon water really safe?
2.  Is the Pulag water source from Camp 2 pure?
3. Can we drink the water from the Papaya River in Tarak?
4. What about Banahaw? In the Daguldol camp site?
5. What is the level of contamination in the Maculot water source?
6. In Famy?
7. Where do you get water in Makiling? In Cristobal?
8. In your own homes and watering holes?

07nov01

The Outdoors in a New Light

The Outdoors in a New Light

When you escape to the outdoors and relish the experience, you wish the moment can linger a little more. Photography comes in to capture the light.

That's the message I picked up viewing about a hundred of slides presented by PALMC president and workshop lecturer Banny Hermanos in the MFPI Creative Outdoors Photography Workshop held last 3 April at the PAL Learning Center in Padre Faura.

Taken by no less than the lecturer himself, the slides dramatize graphically the module of the workshop: the basics on the principles of photography and creative effective compositions.

Banny pointed out the principles using his works in finding the center of interest; recognizing the graphic elements of design as line, shape, form, pattern, texture and color and using the visual elements of balance, proportion, scale, content, rhythm and repetition. In words, they seem overwhelming, in pictures, they are breathtaking.

On behalf of the handful of participants who showed up for the free show, we can only be grateful. Seeing the slides of Banny is already in itself a treat. When in time we ourselves create better compositions from the techniques shared, we will appreciate even more this creating the light workshop.

tochs@excite.com 6 April 2004